The website that allots a unique number, known as ISBN, to every new book being published is full of bugs, and the process remains creaky.

It may seem like a routine letter involving procedure, but the recent one from a group of 17 small and medium publishers to the Ministry of Human Resource Development is anything but that.

Every time a book is published, one of the key requirements is what is known as a ISBN – International Standard Book Number. A unique 13-digit number given to books published around the world, it is generated by the International ISBN Agency. But it is left to each country to decide how it will issue the numbers to publishers and authors on their soil. In India, it is the Raja Ram Mohan Roy National Agency (RRMRNA), under the Department of Higher Education in the Ministry of Human Resources Development, that handles this.

In April 2016, when Smriti Irani was HRD minister, the government decided to digitise the allotment of ISBNs. And what, inexplicably, a move that should have streamlined the process ended up creating a bottleneck.

The RRMRNA launched a website where publishers, whether companies or individuals, would have to register to get their numbers. A ministry press release announcing the website had stated that the objective was to draw India into the framework of Digital India – the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government’s flagship campaign to take all its services online – and to make the process of application easier and more transparent.

This website, however, is still riddled with bugs. And with no phone number through which the Agency can be reached, some publishers have been left waiting for months for their ISBN numbers, with no clarity on the status of their application.

Even government organisations, such as the Indira Gandhi National Open University, have been stymied by this new process and were unable to print new books (at least till December, 2016) despite visits to the agency office in Delhi, according to a report in Books Link, a newsletter for the publication community.

“Earlier, the ministry used to give us ISBN numbers in lots of 100,” said Frederick Noronha, a book publisher and independent journalist based in Goa, and a signatory to the letter asking the RRMRNA to upgrade its website. “Now, because of the delay in registration, we have had to publish books without ISBNs.”

One of these was a book commissioned by the Central government – a translation of the writings of the father of Portugal’s Prime Minister António Luís Santos da Costa, who is of Goan origin. The government had planned to present the book to Costa during his visit to India in January.

Floundering under paperwork

In the old system, publishers would register with the agency, wait a few weeks, and then get the numbers in sets of 100 each. They could then assign these to new books as they chose. When applying for a fresh lot of ISBNs, they had to fill in forms with the details of the books to which the previous numbers had been allotted, to prevent wastage.

Once the website went up, publishers were asked to provide a host of details, including their Permanent Account Number, Aadhaar number and bank statements, just to register. (The bank statement and Aadhaar number are no longer required.) After that, they are now allotted numbers in lots of 10, instead of 100, and have to upload the details of each individual title as they use them, instead of only when applying for a fresh lot.

All calls to the numbers listed for RRMNA on the Human Resource Development website went unanswered.

The agency is floundering under the paperwork, according to Manish Purohit, another signatory to the letter and one of three people to have visited its office in Delhi to deliver the letter. Purohit, co-founder of AuthorsUpfront, a self-publishing platform, clarified that he was speaking in a personal capacity and not for the group.

“I think the entire problem is not about the dissemination of numbers, but the time taken to register,” he said. “The expectation of registration in the digital world is that it will happen in one day, when it is actually one month.”

That said, Purohit expressed an understanding of the agency’s problem, which started when they decided to make the system online. “The office is very poorly staffed and there are only two or three people dealing with 10,000 publishers from around the country, not all of whom write to them in English,” he said. That, he added, made it difficult for them to issue numbers soon.

ISBNs for all? Not exactly

Why are publishers so eager to have International Standard Book Numbers? Because only with these numbers do books become a part of a global database. The 13 digits identify the country, publisher and edition of an individual book. Publishers, booksellers and librarians use these numbers to organise and simplify their records of books. Many online retailers, such as Amazon, insist on the numbers before they stock any book in their collection. And in the academic world, books with these numbers have greater credibility.

Some governments delegate the authority of issuing the numbers to public libraries. Others charge publishers for getting these numbers, though India does not.

Some countries also use the International Standard Book Numbers for censorship. In China, all books that are published must have them. By withholding these numbers to books it does not approve of, the Chinese government controls what books eventually reach the public.

This is not the case in India, where many publishers of Indian languages simply do not bother to apply for the numbers since their buyers do not require it. “I publish Tamil books so I don’t require ISBN anyway,” said M Palani, associate joint secretary of the Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India, who is the publisher at Mullai Pathipagam. Palani had not heard of the new guidelines, which was why he had not registered on the website. He added that most Tamil publishers did not use the numbers at all.

Even so, with the website available only in English, those publishing in regional languages are likely to find it difficult to navigate. This is despite the ministry’s stated goal of launching a mobile application in regional languages to reach out to a more diverse set of publishers.

Manmath Patnaik of Agraduta, a publishing house that specialises in Odia literature, said that for now, he is waiting for his present batch of 100 numbers to get over before registering on the website. “We publish only 20-30 books each year, so we do not need these numbers so frequently,” he said.

But he is apprehensive of the process. “Odia books are anyway not being sold much. If ISBNs are made compulsory, it will be difficult for us. As it is, libraries are not working properly because the government does not give them funds to buy books. If we cannot publish our books on time, we will suffer.”

Publishers have been trying to suggest solutions to the problems, aimed at easing the bottleneck – such as minimising the paperwork requirement every time new ISBNs are applied for, changing the stipulation that 90% of the last batch of ISBNs should have been used before new ones are issues, and increasing the batch size of numbers issued at one go to 250 or 300. book

On World Book Day, there’s nothing that is making this aspect of publishing books any easier.

Ten awesome TV shows to get over your post-GoT blues

With those withdrawal symptoms kicking in, all you need is a good rebound show.

Hangovers tend to have a debilitating effect on various human faculties, but a timely cure can ease that hollow feeling generally felt in the pit of the stomach. The Game of Thrones Season 7 finale has left us with that similar empty feeling, worsened by an official statement on the 16-month-long wait to witness The Great War. That indeed is a long time away from our friends Dany, Jon, Queen C and even sweet, sweet Podrick. While nothing can quite replace the frosty thrill of Game of Thrones, here’s a list of awesome shows, several having won multiple Emmy awards, that are sure to vanquish those nasty withdrawal symptoms:

1. Billions

There is no better setting for high stakes white collar crime than the Big Apple. And featuring a suited-up Paul Giamatti going head-to-head with the rich and ruthless Damien Lewis in New York, what’s not to like? Only two seasons young, this ShowTime original series promises a wolf-of-wall-street style showcase of power, corruption and untold riches. Billions is a great high-octane drama option if you want to keep the momentum going post GoT.

2. Westworld

What do you get when the makers of the Dark Knight Trilogy and the studio behind Game of Thrones collaborate to remake a Michael Crichton classic? Westworld brings together two worlds: an imagined future and the old American West, with cowboys, gun slingers - the works. This sci-fi series manages to hold on to a dark secret by wrapping it with the excitement and adventure of the wild west. Once the plot is unwrapped, the secret reveals itself as a genius interpretation of human nature and what it means to be human. Regardless of what headspace you’re in, this Emmy-nominated series will absorb you in its expansive and futuristic world. If you don’t find all of the above compelling enough, you may want to watch Westworld simply because George RR Martin himself recommends it! Westworld will return for season 2 in the spring of 2018.

3. Big Little Lies

It’s a distinct possibility that your first impressions of this show, whether you form those from the trailer or opening sequence, will make you think this is just another sun-kissed and glossy Californian drama. Until, the dark theme of BLL descends like an eerie mist, that is. With the serious acting chops of Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman as leads, this murder mystery is one of a kind. Adapted from author Liane Moriarty’s book, this female-led show has received accolades for shattering the one-dimensional portrayal of women on TV. Despite the stellar star cast, this Emmy-nominated show wasn’t easy to make. You should watch Big Little Lies if only for Reese Witherspoon’s long struggle to get it off the ground.

4. The Night of

The Night Of is one of the few crime dramas featuring South Asians without resorting to tired stereotypes. It’s the kind of show that will keep you in its grip with its mysterious plotline, have you rooting for its characters and leave you devastated and furious. While the narrative revolves around a murder and the mystery that surrounds it, its undertones raises questions on racial, class and courtroom politics. If you’re a fan of True Detective or Law & Order and are looking for something serious and thoughtful, look no further than this series of critical acclaim.

5. American Horror Story

As the name suggests, AHS is a horror anthology for those who can stomach some gore and more. In its 6 seasons, the show has covered a wide range of horror settings like a murder house, freak shows, asylums etc. and the latest season is set to explore cults. Fans of Sarah Paulson and Jessica Lange are in for a treat, as are Lady Gaga’s fans. If you pride yourself on not being weak of the heart, give American Horror Story a try.

6. Empire

At its heart, Empire is a simple show about a family business. It just so happens that this family business is a bit different from the sort you are probably accustomed to, because this business entails running a record label, managing artistes and when push comes to shove, dealing with rivals in a permanent sort of manner. Empire treads some unique ground as a fairly violent show that also happens to be a musical. Lead actors Taraji P Henson and Terrence Howard certainly make it worth your while to visit this universe, but it’s the constantly evolving interpersonal relations and bevy of cameo appearances that’ll make you stay. If you’re a fan of hip hop, you’ll enjoy a peek into the world that makes it happen. Hey, even if you aren’t one, you might just grow fond of rap and hip hop.

7. Modern Family

When everything else fails, it’s comforting to know that the family will always be there to lift your spirits and keep you chuckling. And by the family we mean the Dunphys, Pritchetts and Tuckers, obviously. Modern Family portrays the hues of familial bonds with an honesty that most family shows would gloss over. Eight seasons in, the show’s characters like Gloria and Phil Dunphy have taken on legendary proportions in their fans’ minds as they navigate their relationships with relentless bumbling humour. If you’re tired of irritating one-liners or shows that try too hard, a Modern Family marathon is in order. This multiple-Emmy-winning sitcom is worth revisiting, especially since the brand new season 9 premiers on 28th September 2017.

8. The Deuce

Headlined by James Franco and Maggi Gyllenhaal, The Deuce is not just about the dazzle of the 1970s, with the hippest New York crowd dancing to disco in gloriously flamboyant outfits. What it IS about is the city’s nooks and crannies that contain its underbelly thriving on a drug epidemic. The series portrays the harsh reality of New York city in the 70s following the legalisation of the porn industry intertwined with the turbulence caused by mob violence. You’ll be hooked if you are a fan of The Wire and American Hustle, but keep in mind it’s grimmer and grittier. The Deuce offers a turbulent ride which will leave you wanting more.

9. Dexter

In case you’re feeling vengeful, you can always get the spite out of your system vicariously by watching Dexter, our favourite serial killer. This vigilante killer doesn’t hide behind a mask or a costume, but sneaks around like a criminal, targeting the bad guys that have slipped through the justice system. From its premier in 2006 to its series finale in 2013, the Emmy-nominated Michael C Hall, as Dexter, has kept fans in awe of the scientific precision in which he conducts his kills. For those who haven’t seen the show, the opening credits give an accurate glimpse of how captivating the next 45 minutes will be. If it’s been a while since you watched in awe as the opening credits rolled, maybe you should revisit the world’s most loved psychopath for nostalgia’s sake.

Available starting October

10. Rome

If you’re still craving an epic drama with extensive settings and a grandiose plot and sub-plots, Rome, co-produced by HBO and BBC, is where your search stops. Rome is a historical drama that takes you through an overwhelming journey of Ancient Rome’s transition from a republic to an empire. And when it comes to tastes, this series provides the similar full-bodied flavour that you’ve grown to love about Game of Thrones. There’s a lot to take away for those who grew up quoting Julius Caesar, and for those looking for a realistic depiction of the legendary gladiators. If you’re a history buff, give this Emmy-winning show a try.

For your next obsession, Hotstar Premium has you covered with its wide collection of the most watched shows in the world. Apart from the ones we’ve recommended, Indian viewers can now easily watch other universally loved shows such as Silicon Valley and Prison Break, and movies including all titles from the Marvel and Disney universe. So take control of your life again post the Game of Thrones gloom and sign up for the Hotstar Premium membership here.

This article was produced by the Scroll marketing team on behalf of Hotstar and not by the Scroll editorial team.